[June 28, 2017] |
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SES and MDA Announce First Satellite Life Extension Agreement
SES (Euronext Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG) and MDA (News - Alert), a global communications
and information company, announced today an agreement for an initial
satellite life extension mission using an on-orbit refuelling vehicle
being built by SSL, a US based subsidiary of MDA and a leading provider
of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems.
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SES (News - Alert) to be first customer on refuelling spacecraft built by SSL- Credit: SSL
SES will be the first commercial customer to benefit from the satellite
refuelling service, and will be able to activate the service whenever
required with minimal disruption to spacecraft operation. The agreement
also includes an option for further life extension missions.
SES will work with a new venture, Space Infrastructure Services (SIS),
which will commercialise sophisticated satellite servicing capabilities.
SIS has contracted SSL to design and build the highly-capable satellite
servicing spacecraft vehicle to meet the needs of the US Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)'s Robotic Servicing of
Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) programme, which is designed to
inspect, repair, relocate and augment geosynchronous satellites and
plans to include a refuelling payload to extend the life of satellites
that are low on propellant.
"Satellite in-orbit servicing is of upmost importance to next-generation
architectures for communications satellites. It enables satellite
operators like us to have more flexibility in managing our fleet and
meeting our customers' demands," said Martin Halliwell, Chief Technology
Officer at SES. "After witnessing the due diligence of SSL's and MDA's
technical expertise, we are confident that its new venture is the best
partner in the refuelling mission field, and will be able to help SES
get more value out of an on-orbit satellite."
"As a pioneer in next-generation fleet capabilities, SES is clearly
committed to improving the space and satellite ecosystem," said Howard
L. Lance, President and CEO at MDA. "We are very pleased to have this
refuelling contract with SES and are excited to provide them with more
options in fleet management."
The satellite servicing spacecraft vehicle is planned for launch in 2021.
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About SES
SES is the world-leading satellite operator and the first to deliver a
differentiated and scalable GEO-MEO offering worldwide, with more than
50 satellites in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and 12 in Medium Earth
Orbit (MEO). SES focuses on value-added, end-to-end solutions in four
key market verticals (Video, Enterprise, Mobility and Government). It
provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and
internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators,
governments and institutions, and businesses worldwide. SES's portfolio
includes the ASTRA satellite system, which has the largest
Direct-to-Home (DTH) television reach in Europe, and O3b Networks, a
global managed data communications service provider. Another SES
subsidiary, MX1, is a leading media service provider and offers a full
suite of innovative digital video and media services. Further
information available at: www.ses.com
About SSL MDA Holdings
SSL MDA Holdings Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of MacDonald,
Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) and serves as the operating company
for all MDA businesses.
About MDA
MDA is a global communications and information company providing
operational solutions to commercial and government organisations
worldwide. MDA's business is focused on markets and customers with
strong repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector
and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company
conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development. MDA's
established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees
operating from 15 locations in the United States, Canada, and
internationally. The company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX:MDA).
About SSL
Space Systems Loral (SSL) is a leading provider of commercial satellites
with broad expertise to support satellite operators and innovative space
related missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for
services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution,
broadband internet, mobile communications, and Earth observation. As a
Silicon Valley innovator for 60 years, SSL's advanced product line also
includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics
and automation solutions for remote operations. For more information,
visit www.sslmda.com.
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